Image: Band scene. ‘Life in Australia’ Documentary, Sydney episode, 1966. National Film and Sound Archive.
by Julia Gilchrist, Historical Officer and Archivist, church of Christ NSW/ACT
It’s a beautiful thing when a community can stand with a young person and celebrate them stepping into adulthood, having nurtured him or her through many stages of spiritual formation. This story shows what this looked like for a community in the 1960’s!
The Church of Christ, Canley Heights, was the setting for a most enjoyable and friendly gathering on February 13 when friends, relatives and colleagues of the Sunday School teaching staff met to give Miss Rhondda Truda their very best wishes now that she has attained the age of twenty-one.
About 60 guests were entertained by a well-arranged programme, thought out by Mr. Ray Byrnes and Miss Florence Gibson, Mr. Byrnes acting as a very capable MC.
Two solos were beautifully rendered by Mr. Fred Greco accompanied by his wife, a former scholar of the Sunday School, and during supper the company was amused by a recitation by Mrs. White, who was also responsible for the incidental music.
LISTEN: Johnny O’Keeffe singing ‘She’s My Baby’
The guest of honour arrived when the guests had gathered, wearing a becoming gown of pink satin brocade with a full skirt fitted bodice and shoulder pleats; which set off her dark hair and clear skin to perfection.
The traditional ceremonies were performed by Mr. Himberth who proposed the toast to Rhondda. and Mr. H. Duncan, who presented the ‘Key of the Door of Life’ on behalf of the family in the absence through illness of her grandfather, Mr. Marks.
After supper the gifts were displayed and admired. Some more games followed, and the evening concluded happily with the singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and ‘The National Anthem’ (God Save the Queen).
STORY RE-SHARE CREDIT: The Biz (Fairfield) Wednesday 24 February 1960, page 16.
IMAGE CREDITS:
Image 1: Dance scene. ‘Life in Australia’ Documentary, Sydney episode, 1966. National Film and Sound Archive.
Image 2: Cosmetics counter scene. ‘Life in Australia’ Documentary, Sydney episode, 1966. National Film and Sound Archive.
Image 3: Preschool visit scene. ‘The Queen Returns, 1963’ Documentary. Commonwealth Film Unit, 1963. National Film and Sound Archive
